The Monroe County State Attorney’s Office announced today that Lynda J. Rusinowski, the former Trauma Star Chief Flight Nurse for Monroe County Fire Rescue, was sentenced by Circuit Judge Mark Jones after entering an open plea to the court in a case that originated from a Monroe County Grand Jury indictment.
An open plea means the defendant entered a plea directly to the court without a negotiated sentencing agreement with the state, leaving sentencing entirely to the judge’s discretion.
Rusinowski entered an open plea of no contest to 14 counts of grand theft of a controlled substance, in violation of F.S. 812.014(2)(c)13, and three counts of official misconduct, in violation of F.S. 838.022(1)(a)(b). The sentence imposed by the court reflects a downward departure from the lowest permissible sentence under the Criminal Punishment Code. Adjudication will be withheld upon her successful completion of all conditions of probation.
She was sentenced to 60 days in the Monroe County Jail, followed by 5 years of drug court probation; she must finish the IPN treatment program, with two years remaining; complete 50 hours of community service; attend three AA/NA meetings per week; and submit to two urinalyses per week.
She was further ordered to pay court costs totaling $553, along with restitution of $1,152.19 to Monroe County Clerk of Court for the cost of the controlled substances, costs of investigation to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office of $2,850.00, and costs of prosecution in the amount of $1,500.
The charges stemmed from Rusinowski’s unlawful obtaining and use of medical-grade narcotics, including fentanyl, Dilaudid, Versed, Ketamine, and Morphine, from Monroe County Fire Rescue’s Trauma Star program, as well as falsifying official records to conceal the thefts.
The case was presented to a Monroe County Grand Jury following an investigation conducted by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. In addition, the Monroe County Clerk’s Office conducted an audit related to the Trauma Star controlled substance records. Collectively, the investigation and audit identified numerous discrepancies within controlled substance logs and inventories, including missing controlled substance vials and falsified log entries used to mask the diversion of narcotics over a period of time.
During the course of the investigation, Rusinowski acknowledged her conduct and sought substance abuse treatment.
“This case involved the misuse of controlled substances by someone in a position of medical trust. While the defendant acknowledged her conduct and sought treatment, the diversion of these medications required a criminal response,” said Major Crimes Prosecutor Colleen Dunne. “I want to thank the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and the Internal Auditors from the Monroe County Clerk’s Office for their investigative work, as well as the members of the Grand Jury for their time and service in reviewing this case.”
“Public safety professionals are entrusted with significant responsibility,” added Chief Prosecutor Joseph Mansfield. “When that trust is violated, there must be accountability. This case also reflects the strength of the partnerships between our office, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Monroe County Fire Rescue, and the Clerk’s Office. These agencies worked together to ensure the facts were uncovered and the case was brought forward appropriately.”
The Monroe County State Attorney’s Office remains committed to working with its law enforcement and agency partners to ensure accountability and protect public trust.
